Tuesday, September 30, 2008

We food bloggers often get ideas and inspiration from each other. I was happening by Sam's Blog, Becks & Posh, and noticed she was challenging us to take the Eat Local Challenge. I knew I wouldn't be able to make it through a month, but there is a 'Many Ways to Participate' section made just for people like me.

I'm pledging to be more conscious this month of where my food is coming from, and endeavor to buy locally more often than not. Then there are those inevitable trade offs. Tonight I felt like some roasted butternut squash. Considering that I don't want to add fuel miles by looking several places for the item, I stop by Mollie Stone's on the way home from work, which is right on the way. Ah.. there is some organic butternut squash available, and I have no idea where Tres Pinos, CA is, but I chance it as it is the only organic butternut squash, and at least it's from California. After Googling the place and checking how far it is from Mill Valley, I find it's 118 miles away. Hmm.. out of bounds of the 100 miles. But at least I didn't drive hither and yon adding fuel miles to find one within 100 miles. I wonder if I can average out my meal, the little red tomatoes I'm going to eat with it were grown on my deck, that should bring the meal miles a lot closer!

Technically, the challenge starts tomorrow, so it's not too late to join the challenge in a major or minor way - check it out!

5 comments:

What a great idea!!!! My first thought is "No problem! Easy feat!". But your squash proves me wrong. It may not be as easy as I thought. We are so lucky, though, that so many of our restaurants here in Marin use fresh local ingredients! This could be a fun challenge! Do you know of any U-pick farms nearby? I think there is one in Nicasio, but I'm not sure. Does my garden count? lol

Butternut squash sounds great; I usually buy most of my vegetables at our local farmer's market so I can eat well and feel virtuous at the same time. I think that 118 miles should count as "local." That's my story and I'm sticking to it. BTW - I went down to the Ferry Building and bought some cheese like the ones you brought to the picnic. I had good intentions of making the cheese last but, while the spirit was willing (sort of), the flesh was weak. Acme bread, a vegetable salad, cheese and apples for desert. Good to the last crumb!

Hi Cookiecrumb! I think I'm going to get quite an education with the orgins of everything on my mind!

Hi Nancy! Thanks for stopping by! I know, I got another cheese afterward I liked those so well. Dad & I have nearly polished it off! I used to go to the Farmer's Market every week, but have not been able to do it lately, it definitely would make the local aspect easier!

Marin County Food Inspection Reports

The original online database of food inspection reports in Marin County was updated and moved to another URL in 2012. The pre-2012 links in posts here will not work, but you can look up all restaurants ratings here.

Anna lives in Mill Valley California and enjoys writing about her food and travel adventures in and out of Marin County.

"...what I would like to capture aren't thoughts but the scent of my happiness!"- Jacques Henri Lartique